By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
You know it’s election period by the campaign gimmicks that start cropping up. Take this one by Representative Matias Defensor of Quezon City’s third district; he chose an innovative device, one which would strike at the very heart of Filipinos’ favorite past time–singing.
Defensor now has five units of mobile videoke, which he lends for free to his constituents in the district during birthday parties, programs, or even weddings.
But here’s the catch. Instead of the usual sexy ladies frolicking in the beach or couples strolling along the country’s tourist attractions, what one will see on screen along with the songs’ lyrics are videos and photographs of Defensor.
Thus, while singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” one will catch sight of the congressman attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony, holding medical mission, or presiding over a meeting.
Defensor said it was his way of showing his accomplishments to his constituents. And adding in jest he said, “Later on, you will also see the beach scene.”
The “Mat sing-along sa barangay” mobile videoke was also his way of helping his constituents, especially those who cannot afford to rent one during events.
“Lalo na iyong walang kaya, nagpa-party, wala man lang music, so para kumpleto,” he said in a phone interview Monday.
Defensor acknowledged his mobile videoke could also be used when he campaigns for reelection next year.
Defensor, a member of the administration Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats party, plans to seek a third term as Quezon City’s congressman for third district.
Defensor said one unit of the videoke machine costs between P60,000 and P80,000.
He brought one unit in the House of Representatives during the anniversary of the Ayes and Nays forum, a forum organized by the media, last month. Several reporters and Anakpawis party list Representative Rafael Mariano had no choice but to gaze at Defensor’s videos while belting out songs.
10 Feedbacks on "Singing in the time of elections"
orlando vergel
this is another political stunt/gimmick by defensor, a wily and a shewd political ally of gloria “kurakot” arroyo. i think this congressman should not be send back to congress. subra itong sipsip and suports not for the good of the people in general, but for himself and his family’s interests like bussineses and the likes.
evap
the roving sing along idea as campaign gimmick is laudable as it is unique.. seen from a different angle, it insults the filipino people to the core, and worse they are not even aware of it, loving it even like dogs lapping over somebody’s puke.. this gimmickry remains so effective, history has a lot to show for this.. it is so much like giving opium to cure emphysemic patient, it relieves him from his troubles for a while but his misery multiplies once the sweetness of the poison wanes.. people mistake this gesture of entertainment as an outpouring of endearment by the politician, but that exactly is the effect the politicos want.. unbeknownst to the ridiculed masses, the politicos are massaging their itchy fingers, hungrily staring at the jingling cents in the pockets of these poor and foolish denizens.. its bad enough that fate has given so much evil “talent” to the politicos, it even worse that the masses have to applaud them for it.. admittedly, it will be a difficult task to educate the filipinos about these political subterfuges, and for them to turn their back to a culture that has demeaned them for ages.. but then if apathy will govern us all, it is like preferring to cut off a gangrenous foot to free one’s self from pain than to medicate and wait for the infection to heal..
rock-o-streamless
naku, matagal na ho gimikera si sen. santiago… i just wish teodoro do not win as president in this election. magmumukha na naman kawawa ang mga pilipino pag nagkataon. we need total independence from usa to move on, tama na yang gamitan na yan, buti kamo gamit talaga ang nawawala pero buhay ng bawat pilipino ang nakasalalay kapag sya ay nanalo. and we need not this happen again and again.
Onned
Keep working ,great job!
bindoy
as predicted, matias defensor, the subject of this article will do all political juggling to please arroyo. he just junk the impeachment complaint againt merceditas gutierrez, the corrupt umbudsman. as orly vergel commented, this corrupt congressman should not be voted back to congress as he will do nothing but to protect the interests of arroyo, his family’s bussinesses and corrupt officials in govenment.
Your Congress at work: Videoke for the poor « Indolent Indio
[...] and Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor, Jr. is reaching out to his constituents in the 3rd District. He has acquired videoke machines to be lent out during birthdays, funerals and fiestas , another feather in his cap of legislative accomplishments. "but then again…too few [...]
ugg boots cheap
HaHA! I have already seen the great thing!!!
edong
Si Kris Aquino o Aquino Family ay may share of stocks ba sa ABS-CBN /Lopez Family corporation– Dahil lahat yata ng pabuya ay ibinibigay ng lopez company sa kanya -sa Tv series puro Noynoy ang binabangit at ka-echo pa si Boy Abunda .Sa Feb.2010 may sop opera series daw si Kris, at meron para rin sa anak na si James.ito ay bago mag Presidential election MAy 2010?Kung kuwentahin ay aabot ng milyon ang halaga sa advertising charges nuon? Marami ang nagtatanong kung ito ba ay hindi korapsyon/favoritism kay Cory Aquino nuong pang nakaupo sya bilang presidente.At ang ABS-CBN ay halatang may manok-si NoyNoy Aquino.Baka sa Meralco- ay may interest din ang mga elitistang pamilya Aquino.
Pipit
Matuto na sana tayo sa mga pulitiko na ang tanging nais ay ang kumita ng milyon milyon sa kongreso.. at walang anumang pagnananais na iangat ang buhay ng maraming Pilipino.
Naway piliin natin ang kakaunti ang salita, ngunit nakikita sa gawa..yung may totoong pagnanais na maglingkod sa tao at may prinsipyong totoo.
Iwasan sana nating pumili ng pulitiko na handang himurin ang kili-kili ni Arroyo para matapalan sa mukha ng pera gaya ni Matias Defensor.
starvingBitc
Great post but wish it was longer !
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